Hedge-trimming machine



('No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 1.

syJ. VANGB. Hedge'Trmming Machine. Nn. 239,578. Patented March 29,1881,

J0 @if 22206. /M l Jlweg (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.'

e. J. VANGB. Hedge Trimming Machine. Y No. 239,578. P-tehfed March 29,1881,

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`lJivITi-sn STATES;

PATENT OFFICE..

SAMUEL J. VANOE, OF WAVERLY, ILLINOIS.

HEDGE-TRI'MMING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 239,578, dated March 29, 1881. Application ledlDecember 20, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL J. VANOE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Waverly, in the county of Morgan and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Hedge-Trimming Machines, of which the following is a specication.

My invention relates to a hedge-trimming machine; and it consists, essentially, in the combination of a wheeled main frame provided with a rigid standard, an upright bar arranged to slide in bearings on the standard and provided with a rack, Va ratchet-wheel or pinion engaging said rack for elevating and depressing the upright bar, acuttin g mechanism having a hinge-connection with the upright bar, and devices for adjusting thc cut-` ting mechanism to horizontal or vertical `posig tions, all of which will be fully hereinafter dcscribed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hedge-cutter embodying my invention, the cutters beingin a horizontal position. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the cutters and the frame which carries off the cut hedge. Figs3 is a detail view, showing `one of the cutters and the crank and connecting-rod. Fig. 4 is a'front elevation of the machine with the cutters in a vertical position. Fig. 5 illustrates some of the gearing with a movable sleeve. Fig. 6 is a detail view, representing the mechanism for raising or lowering the arm which supports the cutting mechanism. Fig. 7 is a detail view, illustrating the shipping -lever. Fig. 8 illustrates the rack upon a verticallymovable bar, with the ratchet-wheel for operating the' same. It also shows the device for locking said ratchet-wheel.

Referring by letter to the annexed drawings, A indicates the truck-frame, to which is connected any ordinary tongue or pole, c. The truck-frame is mounted upon an axle, a', which is supported upon wheels a2, 'one or both of these wheels being rigidly secured to the axle, in order to cause its rotation as the machine is drawn over the ground. A2 designates the drivers seat, below which a tool-box can be placed when desired.

B indicates a standard, which is mounted upon the truck-frame, and B' designates a vertically-slidable bar, which is supported alongside of the standard B by means of suitable straps or eyes, b. This bar B' is for the purpose of raising or lowering the `head of the machine, which includes mechanism for raising or lowering the cutters, as will be eX- plained hereinafter. The bar B' is provided with a rack, b2, along its sid-@that opposes the standard B, and within a mortise, b3, formed through said standard is pivoted va ratchetwheel, B2. This ratchet-wheel engages the rack of the slidable bar, in order that the bar can be raised, and a handle, C, is extended out from the ratchet-wheel to within convenient reach of the driver. Any suitable device can be employed for locking the ratchet-wheel, in order to lock the slidable bar B' in the position desired, the means herein shown for such purpose being the spring-latch O', provided with a pin, o, arranged to pass through the ratchetwheel and engage a stationary rack, b4, (shown in Fig. 1,) alongside of the ratchetwheel, the springlatch being best shown in Fig. 8.

At the top end of the slidable bar B is pivoted the swinging arm D, which supports the cutters at its outer end. To this swinging arm is secured an arm, D', at an angle thereto, and near its pivotal end. An adjustable handle, D2, connects with this arm D' in such manner that the operator can slide the arm toward the hinged bar, so as to cause it to engage a racksegment, d', secured upon the slidable bar B. This arrangement is for locking the hinged arm D either in a horizontal or a vertical position, or at an angle between the two.

To the end of the hinged arm is attached the finger-bar E, the cutters E' (see Fig. 2)'being pivoted both to the finger-bar and also at their ,tail ends to the reciprocatory bar E2, the fingers e being shown as attached to the fingerbar. One of the ltail ends of the cutters eX- tends backof the reciprocatory bar E2, and to such end of the cutter is pivoted the vibratory bar c', as at e2. This bar is employed for operatin g the cutters. Motion is transmitted to this bar c' from a gear, F, upon the axle, as follows The gear F engageswith a bevel-gear, F', upon a vertical shaft, f. Avertically-movable hollow shaft or sleeve, G,is arranged upon the shaft f, and a bevel-gear, G', is secured upon the upper end of the said movable sleeve G. This last-named bevel-gear G' engages a.

lwith which it intermeshes, in order that the two gears can be disengaged when necessary, in order to check the cutting mechanism. Shipping-lever L, for moving the gear F, is pivoted in an arm, L', that rises .from the ltruck-frame, and an adjustable handle, l, is

connected with the shipping-lever and extended up alongside of the drivers seat'. Finally, a vibratory frame, M, is arranged above the vibratory bar E2, and supported thereby.

rIhe operation is as follows: The machineis drawn alongside of the hedge to be cut. rlhe driver elevates' the bar B' by operating the handle ot' the ratchet-wheel, and the cutter-bar is allowed to drop by unlocking the hinge ot' arm D, which supports the cutting mechanism. As the machine passes alongside ofthe hedge the vibrating knives will trim the hedge. Instead ofnow carrying the machine along the other side of the hedge, the machine can be driven closer to the hedge, and the arm D thus allowed to extend over and admit ofthe cutters along the other side. To trim the top ofthe hedge, the operator elevates and locks the arm D into a vertical position, as shown in Fig. 1. He will then lower the bar B so as to bring the cutters down upon the hedge, and thus effectively trim the top. rIhe cut material falls upon the vibrating frame M and slides thereon over to the other side of the hedge.

It will, ot' course, be seen that the cutters can be set at various angles by raising or lowering the arm l), which supports the cutting mechanism.

Heretofore machines for trimming hedges have been provided with cutting mechanism arranged to be adjusted back and forth above the plane of the ma-in frame and from horizontal to vertical positions; but such is not claimed by me.

What I claim isl. In a hedge-trimming machine, the combination of a wheeled main frame provided with a rigid standard, the upright bar arranged to slide in bearings'on said standard and provided with a rack-bar, a ratchet-Wheel or pinion engaging the rack for elevating and depressing the upright bar, a cutting mechanism having a hinged connection with the upper end of the upright bar, and devices for adjusting the cutting mechanism to horizontal or vertical positions, all substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a hedge-cutter, the combination, with the cutting mechanism, of a hinged supporting-arm, D, a vertically-movable supportingbar, B', a vertically-movable sleeve carrying a gear, and the gears II and G' and a third intermeshing gear, through the medium of which motion is transmitted to the cutters, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL J. VANGE. Vitnesses:

EDWARD WEMPLE, F. H. WEMPLE. 

